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Hotaru by Barber & Osgerby, 2015

As part of the 2015 London Design Festival twentytwentyone launched Hotaru, the new range of lighting designed by Barber & Osgerby in collaboration with twentytwentyone.

Named after the Japanese word for firefly, the Hotaru range was inspired by Barber & Osgerby's appreciation of the history and craft of Japanese paper lantern making.

Ed Barber and Jay Osgerby said, "We have always loved the simplicity and beauty of Japanese paper lanterns and have often talked about designing them. In 2012 whilst Edward was travelling through central Japan he visited Ozeki, the famous paper lantern manufacturer to learn more about the craft. After a conversation with the owner of the family-run business this project was born.”

The collection is manufactured by Ozeki & Co Ltd, a celebrated Japanese company dedicated to making paper lanterns since 1891. Each lantern is constructed using traditional techniques and materials, with translucent Mulberry bark washi paper stretched over a bamboo structure that describes a bold contemporary form.